The Final Mission of Extortion 17: Special Ops, Helicopter Support, SEAL Team Six, and the Deadliest Day of the U.S. War in Afghanistan

The Latest Book by Ed Darack

Read the first and only, never-before-told, complete in-depth story of Extortion 17 and its downing, the greatest mystery of modern war. The downing of Extortion 17 represents the greatest loss of life in the American war in Afghanistan, the greatest single incident loss of life for U.S. Special Operations Command, and the greatest loss of life in the history of the Navy SEALs and Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). Through interviews of dozens closest to the story, including fellow army aviators, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and a number of experts intimately familiar with the story, Ed Darack reveals, for the first time ever, the full scope of this incredible story. In The Final Mission of Extortion 17, you will learn every vital detail and gripping moment of the full story, learn about the human aftermath of the tragedy, the never-before-told story of how America pursued those responsible for the downing, and the enduring legacies of those lost. The Final Mission of Extortion 17 presents modern war like never before by immersing you in one of the most captivating, moving, and revealing stories of war ever told. The book includes 30 never-before-published photographs and 11 maps, custom made specifically for this book.

On August 6, 2011, a U.S. Army CH-47D Chinook helicopter approached a landing zone in Afghanistan 40 miles southwest of Kabul. The helicopter, call sign Extortion 17, was on a mission to reinforce American and coalition special operations troops. It would never return. Insurgents fired at the Chinook, severed one of its rear rotor blades, and brought it crashing to the ground. All 38 onboard perished instantly in the single greatest moment of sacrifice for Americans in the war in Afghanistan. Those killed were some of the U.S.'s most highly trained and battle-honed commandos, including 15 men from the Gold Squadron of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, known popularly as SEAL Team 6, which had raided a Pakistan compound and killed Osama bin Laden just three months earlier. Click here to read more and to purchase.